TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Erick Lee, Public Works Department Director
Sean Roberts, Maintenance Manager
Bobby Dobson, Maintenance Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Discuss Sand Dune Park Refurbishment (Public Works Director Lee).
(Estimated Time: 30 Min.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Line
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the deferred maintenance work currently underway at Sand Dune Park.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Fiscal implications associated with this item are discussed below. Should the City Council direct staff to expand or contract the scope of the current Sand Dune Park Landscape Revitalization project, corollary cost increases or decreases may be incurred.
BACKGROUND:
As part of service and cost reductions brought on by COVID-19 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021, $201,800 was cut from the Public Works Department’s landscaping budget and $130,000 was cut from the tree maintenance budget. In FY 2021-2022, budget cuts were maintained at $37,000 from the landscaping budget and $130,000 from the tree maintenance budget.
These budget reductions, which totaled nearly $500,000 during the last two fiscal years, helped the City navigate the fiscal uncertainties of the pandemic. However, they also resulted in significant levels of deferred maintenance in the community’s parks and landscaped areas. Without addressing this deferred maintenance, complications with tree canopy density, tree strength, and unmanicured parks could have resulted in trip hazards and other safety issues, as well as increased dissatisfaction with the City’s park system and aesthetic appeal.
On February 15, 2022, the City Council appropriated $625,000 to restore and elevate these areas to excellent, pre-COVID levels. These funds were earmarked to address deferred maintenance issues and reinstate historical landscaping schedules and standards. As part of this appropriation request, staff identified Sand Dune Park as one of the areas that would be addressed during this drive to catch up on deferred maintenance.
On April 5, 2022, the City Council approved Amendment No. 1 to the tree management services agreement with West Coast Arborists, adding a one-time amount of $300,000 to restore West Coast Arborist’s Citywide tree trimming cycle to pre-COVID levels, including trimming work that was not addressed during the pandemic. At the same meeting, the City Council approved Amendment No. 5 to the maintenance services agreement with Merchants Landscaping, adding a one-time amount of $325,000 for additional work to restore Citywide landscaping to pre-COVID levels.
On September 6, 2022, the City Council requested a discussion on the Sand Dune Park refurbishment.
DISCUSSION:
In conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works began the Sand Dune Park Landscape Revitalization Project during the spring of 2022. The goal of this project is to address major deferred maintenance issues by cleaning, stabilizing, and beautifying the park’s landscaping. A link to the project webpage, which includes renderings of how the landscape will look when the maintenance work is completed, is included as an attachment to this report.
The first phase of this project consisted of pruning 294 trees, removing 38 failed or diseased trees, and hauling nearly 100 tons of dead plant materials from the park. This work began in May 2022 and was completed in June 2022.
On May 23, 2022 and June 27, 2022, staff discussed the second phase of the Sand Dune Park Landscape Revitalization Project with the Parks and Recreation Commission. This second phase involves significant repairs to the park’s irrigation system, the planting of approximately 320 trees and plants, installing jute netting and a retaining wall to stabilize four hillsides, replacing deteriorated fencing, and replacing approximately 6,300 square feet of turf with decomposed granite. Additionally, all existing tree stumps will be flush cut, and any additional failed plants that are identified will be removed.
The second phase of the project began in August 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in October 2022. The composition of the plantings ultimately selected for this project differ slightly from what was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission during its June 27, 2022 meeting. The changes in plantings were made upon recommendations of staff and community members to maximize the potential for including native species and to minimize disruption to migratory bird habitats. The updated list of plantings and quantities include:
Silk Oak Tree 10
California Sycamore 8
Arbutus Marina 25
Catalina Ironwood 20
Western Redbud 40
Toyon Tree 30
Melaleuca Nesophola 67
Holly Cherry 60
Lemonade Berry 60
Total 320
As of mid-September, approximately 75% of the planting and installation work has been completed. The remaining work includes finalizing the installation of jute netting and plants, completing the retaining wall and fencing work, and the replacement of approximately 6,300 square feet of turf with decomposed granite. The turf replacement work is currently on hold, pending direction from the City Council.
Additionally, a potential Eagle Scout project has been proposed for Sand Dune Park. That project would further beautify a small section on the lower north end of the park by installing peat moss, fertilizer, compost, and native plants. Final approval of the Eagle Scout project is also currently on hold, pending the outcome of the City Council’s discussion on the Sand Dune Park Landscape Revitalization Project.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The Sand Dune Park Landscape Revitalization Project was discussed with the Parks and Recreation Commission on May 23, 2022 and June 27, 2022. Staff also deployed signs around the park notifying residents of the project with a QR code directing interested parties to the dedicated webpage which had been established for this project (Attachment). As of September 19, 2022, the webpage had received over 250 unique page views.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Project Webpage (Web-Link Provided)
2. PowerPoint Presentation